**Title: MESSAGE TO THE KING OF AFGHANISTAN**

From collection XXIV

Printed from the manuscript

Lenin

To I. T. Smilga. April 17, 1919

517

**TELEGRAM TO THE TULA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE**[338]

Tula

To the Tula District Executive Committee

I request that you communicate to me as soon as possible answers to the following questions:

1) Was there a district Tula congress in Tula on organizing sowing, 2) in mid-March or at what exactly time, 3) was there a proposal (whose) to send greetings to Lenin, 4) was there a decision by delegates for sending greetings in general, but against sending in the name of Communists, 5) was the congress dissolved for this, 6) or dissolved in general for something else, 7) if so, under what circumstances, 8) if not, were there other frictions and what did they consist of, 9) how many delegates were at the congress, 10) are there their names and addresses, 11) who was there from the district executive committee or from the district land department at the congress.

It is important for me to receive an answer immediately. If you cannot answer all questions immediately, answer at once those which can be answered right away, and set a deadline for answers to the remaining questions.

I insist absolutely on maximum speed of response and place the responsibility on the district executive committee if there are any delays.

I request that you send me clippings of all materials from all local newspapers about this congress.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

Written April 16, 1919

First printed in 1933
in Lenin Collection XXIV

Printed from typewritten copy

**TO I. T. SMILGA**

Comrade Smilga, I am directing Comrade Puryshev to you. He is a worker from the Vyborg District, where I became acquainted with him.

V. I. LENIN

In my opinion, he is a good organizer. Currently he works for us in the commissariat, but he is eager for more active work. Unfortunately, he is excessively modest. Talk with him and assign him to appropriate work. It is unfortunate for us to lose him, but the time is such that one cannot hold him back.

N. K. Ulyanova

For my part, I join in the request to treat Comrade Puryshev with special attention—he makes the impression not only of a developed but of an extremely capable worker.

April 17, 1919

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

Printed for the first time, from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO G. E. ZINOVIEV**

April 18, 1919

Petrograd

Smolny, to Zinoviev

I received your telegram about the warm response of Petrograd workers to mobilization.[339] Today I had a detailed report from the commander-in-chief and see clearly that unrelenting strain and extraordinary speed are necessary. Make use of Kalinin's presence to strengthen and accelerate shipments from Petrograd. If possible, send more and with Kalinin.

Lenin

First printed February 23, 1938 in the newspaper "Pravda" No. 53

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO KH. G. RAKOVSKII**

Kiev, to Rakovskii

In cipher

Regarding the Socialist-Revolutionaries, I advise you not to give more than three under any circumstances, and surround these three with strict supervision of Bolsheviks; and if they do not agree—so much the worse for them, we will be in a better position.[340] Regarding military tasks, I remind you once again of the two most important tasks: breakthrough through Bukovina and the taking of Rostov. All forces must be devoted to these two tasks—confirm this to Podvoisky and Antonov. Regarding Dybenko's plans, I warn against adventurism—I fear it will end in catastrophe and he will be cut off.[341] Would it not be more reasonable to use his forces to replace Makhno and strike at Taganrog and Rostov. I advise you to think this through three times; of course, you decide this yourselves.

Lenin

Written April 18, 1919

First printed in 1959 in Lenin Collection XXXVI

Printed from the manuscript

**TO F. E. DZERZHINSKY[342]**

Comrade Dzerzhinsky!

I very much request that you appoint an investigation to proceed more strictly.

April 18. Lenin

Written April 18, 1919

Printed for the first time, from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO G. YA. SOKOLNIKOV**

In cipher

To Sokolnikov

I am extremely alarmed by the slowdown in operations against the Donetsk Basin and Rostov. Acceleration is necessary, but of course only with serious forces. Work out practical directives for this purpose, and we will pass them through the CEC for the Ukrainians, as well as for ours. It is utterly outrageous that the suppression of the Cossack uprising has dragged on.[343] Answer in greater detail.

Lenin

Written April 20, 1919

First printed in 1934 in the journal
"Proletarian Revolution" No. 3

Printed from the manuscript

**TO THE TAMBOV PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE**

April 20, 1919

Tambov

To the Provincial Executive Committee

I enclose a telegram from Tambov.[344] I request that you arrange once more a general meeting of these 252 (unclear whether these are all members of the cooperative or only part and of what total number) and explain to them the following:

"The Council of People's Commissars has adopted a decree on the creation of consumer communes in the interests of proper distribution of products. It is unjust that in the distribution of products necessary for the entire population without exception, only part of the population participates, as was the case under capitalism. In all countries cooperatives under capitalism encompassed predominantly the upper strata of workers and peasants. It is necessary that now not only the upper strata, but all, without exception all working people, take part in the distribution of products.

One can scarcely find even a single one of the great founders of the worldwide cooperative movement who did not point to the transformation of this movement into socialism. Now precisely the time for this has come, and all the best elements of cooperation sympathize with such a development of cooperation as has occurred through the decree on the transformation of cooperatives into consumer communes encompassing all working people without exception.

The rights of control, fully independent, as well as the rights to conduct affairs independently, remain with the members of the consumer communes. This is why I request that the meeting reconsider its decision, recognize the obligatory nature of the Council of People's Commissars' decree, and not drive the worker-peasant authority to undesirable measures of compulsion.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)"

Read this part in quotation marks at the meeting, print it in the local newspaper. Explain in greater detail (and tactfully, without harshness) what I have said. Telegraph the execution.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First printed in 1958 in the journal
"Questions of the History of the CPSU" No. 1

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO THE ZHLOBIN RAILROAD
EXTRAORDINARY COMMISSION**

April 21, 1919

Zhlobin

Railroad Cheka
Copy to district executive committee
Copy to Mogilev, provincial executive committee

Rabkin, manager of the pharmacy, complains about the confiscation of his bicycle by the railroad Cheka. Investigate immediately and strictly and verify. Telegraph; if there are no special or military reasons, you will be punished for the confiscation of the bicycle.[345]

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars Lenin

First printed in 1933 in Lenin Collection XXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO I. I. VATSETIS AND S. I. ARALOV[346]**

In cipher

Serpukhov

To Commander-in-Chief Vatsetis
and member of the Revolutionary Military Council Aralov

Advancement into Galicia and Bukovina is necessary for connection with Soviet Hungary. This task

*In a telegram to V. I. Lenin, G. M. Rabkin reported that the bicycle was extremely necessary for him to maintain contact with a doctor living far from the pharmacy. Ed.

must be solved more quickly and more firmly, and beyond the limits of this task no occupation of Galicia and Bukovina is needed, for the Ukrainian army absolutely and under no circumstances must not be diverted from its two main tasks, namely: the first, most important and most urgent—to help the Donbass. This help must be obtained quickly and on a large scale. The second task—to establish a firm connection by rail with Soviet Hungary. Communicate your directives to Antonov and measures for verifying their execution.

Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council Lenin

Written April 21 or 22, 1919

First printed incompletely
April 21, 1957 in "Literary Gazette" No. 48

Printed in full in Ukrainian in 1958 in the book "The Struggle of
the Working People of Bukovina for Social and National Liberation
and Reunion with the Ukrainian SSR. 1917–1941," Chernivtsi

In Russian printed in full in 1961 in the book "From the History
of the Civil War in the USSR," vol. 2

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO V. A. ANTONOV-OVSEENKO**

Kiev, to Antonov
Copies to Podvoisky and Vakovskii

In cipher

Sokolnikov telegraphs me that Denikin in the Donbass has splendidly used the respite, has strengthened himself and gathered fresher forces than ours. The danger is enormous. Ukraine is obliged to recognize the Donbass Front as absolutely the most important Ukrainian front and must by all means immediately carry out the commander-in-chief's assignment to give solid reinforcement to the Donbass–Mariupol sector. From Podvoisky's materials I see that there is a mass of military equipment in Ukraine, not even counting Odessa; we must not hoard it but immediately form Donets workers and new units to take Tagan-

must be solved more quickly and more firmly, and beyond the limits of this task no occupation of Galicia and Bukovina is needed, for the Ukrainian army absolutely and under no circumstances must not be diverted from its two main tasks, namely: the first, most important and most urgent—to help the Donbass. This help must be obtained quickly and on a large scale. The second task—to establish a firm connection by rail with Soviet Hungary. Communicate your directives to Antonov and measures for verifying their execution.

Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council Lenin

Written April 21 or 22, 1919

First printed incompletely
April 21, 1957 in "Literary Gazette" No. 48

Printed in full in Ukrainian in 1958 in the book "The Struggle of
the Working People of Bukovina for Social and National Liberation
and Reunion with the Ukrainian SSR. 1917–1941," Chernivtsi

In Russian printed in full in 1961 in the book "From the History
of the Civil War in the USSR," vol. 2

Printed from the manuscript

rog and Rostov. Have you mobilized all officers in Ukraine? By all means, you must quickly and significantly increase forces against Denikin. Telegraph in greater detail and make your cipher clerks cipher more carefully so that everything can be understood.

April 22, 1919. Lenin

First printed January 20, 1929 in the newspaper "Red Star" No. 17

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO THE YELETS
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE[347]**

April 23, 1919

Yelets

To the District Executive Committee

Check immediately the case of the seizure of rye at Yelets Station from Gorichev and comrades. Were receipts issued, was the seizure legal. Should part or all of it be returned. Telegraph.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars Lenin

First printed in 1933 in Lenin Collection XXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TO E. M. SKLYANSKY[348]**

Comrade Sklyansky!

This is quite opportune, right in line with what was decided yesterday.

It is necessary urgently, immediately:

1) draw up the text of a directive from the Central Committee to all "nationals" on military unity (merger);

*See "Draft Directive of the Central Committee on Military Unity" in V. I. Lenin, Collected Works, 5th ed., vol. 38; pp. 400–401. Ed.

2) give it also to the press for a series of articles;

3) on universal military training (take 100%, not 75%)[349]—immediately, today, prepare a draft decree;

4) calculate: 24,000 command staff. If we take one per ten, it means we can create an army of 240,000.

Check and take it as the norm immediately for the Central Supply Administration for both Russia and Ukraine.

Written April 24, 1919

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO K. A. MEKHONOSHYN**

April 24, 1919 Military

Out of turn
In cipher

Astrakhan

To Mekhonoshyn

It is extremely strange that you send only boastful telegrams about future victories. Discuss immediately:

first—is it not possible to accelerate the taking of Petrovsk for the removal of oil from Grozny;
second—is it not possible to conquer the mouth of the Ural and Guryev to obtain oil from there; the need for oil is desperate.

Direct all efforts toward the quickest obtaining of oil and telegraph accurately.

Lenin

First printed incompletely in 1930 in the book "Civil War. 1918–1921," vol. III

Printed in full in 1950 in the 4th edition of the Collected Works of V. I. Lenin, vol. 35

Printed from the manuscript

*Central Supply Administration. Ed.

**At the top of the document V. I. Lenin wrote: "Comrade Medyantsev! Prepare a cipher and ask Sklyansky to call me as soon as he arrives. April 24. Lenin." Ed.**

**TELEGRAM TO G. YA. SOKOLNIKOV. APRIL 24, 1919**

**TO E. M. SKLYANSKY**

Today you must issue a fierce telegram over your and my signature to both the chief staff and the chief of supplies that they are obliged to develop maximum energy and speed in the taking of Vilna.[350]

Written April 24, 1919

First printed September 23, 1925 in the newspaper "Pravda" No. 217

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND REVOLUTIONARY MILITARY COUNCIL
OF THE WESTERN FRONT**

In cipher

Serpukhov, to the commander-in-chief
Revolutionary Military Council, Western Front

With the loss of Vilna, the Entente has become even more insolent. It is necessary to develop maximum speed for the return of Vilna in the shortest possible time, so as not to give the whites the opportunity to bring up forces and entrench themselves. Accelerate the advancement of incoming reinforcements and act more energetically. Ensure the field staff strengthens vigilance in all ways over operations in this direction.

Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council Lenin

Written April 24, 1919

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the text written in the hand of E. M. Sklyansky
and signed by V. I. Lenin

**TELEGRAM TO G. YA. SOKOLNIKOV**

To Sokolnikov

In cipher

By all means it is necessary to quickly liquidate completely the uprising. Beloborodov has been sent from the Central Committee.

*The telegram was also signed by the deputy chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council E. M. Sklyansky. Ed.

I fear that you are mistaken in not applying severity, but if you are absolutely certain that there are no forces for a fierce and merciless reckoning, then telegraph immediately and in detail. Is it not possible to promise amnesty and by this means completely disarm? Answer immediately. We are sending two more command courses.

Lenin

Written April 24, 1919

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO KH. G. RAKOVSKII,
V. A. ANTONOV-OVSEENKO,
N. I. PODVOISKY, L. B. KAMENEV**

Kiev

To Rakovskii, Antonov,
Podvoisky, Kamenev

By all means, with all our strength and as quickly as possible help us finish off the Cossacks and take Rostov, even if it costs temporary weakening in western Ukraine, for otherwise death threatens us.

Lenin

Written April 24, 1919

First printed in 1934 in the journal
"Proletarian Revolution" No. 3

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO V. A. ANTONOV-OVSEENKO**

Kiev, to Antonov

In cipher

Copy to Rakovskii, Podvoisky, Kamenev

I received the cipher message, as well as your draft for dividing the Southern Front and Ukrainian Front. I thank you for the first, I scold you for the second, as if for playing at independence.[351] Transfer Ukrainian troops to take Taganrog is absolutely necessary immediately and by all means. Telegraph.

Lenin

Written April 25, 1919

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO KH. G. RAKOVSKII**

In cipher

Kiev, to Rakovskii

The resolution of the Ekaterinoslav Socialist-Revolutionaries shows that these are scoundrels, defenders of kulaks.[352] It is necessary to raise newspaper campaigns against them for their defense of kulaks and for the slogan—opposition to centralization; demand from them exposure of kulaks and struggle against free sale of grain by peasants. In the government it is necessary to bind them with the most precise directives, place them under the strictest supervision, and in case of the slightest deviation from the government line on food, cooperative, financial questions and on the question of closest rapprochement with Russia, prepare for their expulsion with disgrace. Inform me more frequently.

Lenin

Written April 25, 1919

First printed in 1950 in the 4th edition of the Collected Works
of V. I. Lenin, vol. 29

Printed from the manuscript

**TO N. I. BUKHARIN**

Comrade Bukharin! Print this with a detailed and calm analysis, proving in detail that such vacillations by Socialist-Revolutionaries toward the kulak and separation from Russia, that is, fragmentation of forces, in the face of Kolchak and Denikin objectively lead to assisting the bourgeoisie and Kolchak.[353]

April 25. Lenin

Written April 25, 1919

First printed in 1945 in Lenin Collection XXXV

Printed from the manuscript

**TO E. M. SKLYANSKY[354]**

It is still necessary to come to an agreement with Dzerzhinsky to have him provide the most energetic people. And should we not also send additional military forces?[355]

It is also necessary, if things are bad there, to resort to cunning.

Written April 25, 1919

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TO E. M. SKLYANSKY**

You must: 1) send today telegrams on emergency measures of aid to Chistopol to the Revolutionary Military Council of the Eastern Front and to the army;

2) yourself talk today via direct line with the Eastern Front.

Lenin

Written April 26, 1919

First printed September 23, 1925 in the newspaper "Pravda" No. 217

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO S. I. GUSEV**

April 26, 1919

To Gusev

Emergency measures of aid to Chistopol must be taken. Have you treated this with sufficient care? Have you exhausted all possibilities? Telegraph.

Lenin

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO K. A. MEKHONOSHYN**

In cipher

Astrakhan

To Mekhonoshyn

From the report of April 23 it is evident that the "Ardahan" and "Kars" from Baku passed into Guryev without hindrance. Thus, the Astrakhan people boastfully promise great victories in the future, while at the same time letting the enemy pass into Guryev. This is outrageous and even forces one to suspect either treason or malicious sabotage. We demand from you the strictest control, personal verification, the most careful supervision, absolute vigilance.

Lenin

Written April 26, 1919

First printed in 1942 in Lenin Collection XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

**TO G. E. ZINOVIEV[356]**

Comrade Zinoviev! Read this yourself and with Comrade Badaev. He must be strictly called to account: one more failure to carry out orders from the center—and we will hand him over to trial. This is not to be joked about.

Get a signed receipt from him that he has been notified of this.

April 26. Lenin

P.S. Return the enclosed materials and this letter.

Written April 26, 1919

Printed for the first time, from the manuscript

**TELEGRAM TO L. B. KAMENEV**

Ekaterinoslav, Kamenev's train

To Kamenev

The directive regarding the Donbass has long been repeated. Achieve actual verification of what exactly, how much, when, where arrived, or where it is en route. Ioffe is needed not in the Crimea but in the Ukrainian government in a position that Rakovskii will choose for work against independence, and in the Crimea we will find another, but of course not Dybenko.

Lenin

Written April 25, 1919

Printed from the manuscript